The PRETTIEST GARDEN I have ever seen

NO NEED FOR TOO MANY WORDS, THIS PRIVATE GARDEN IS JUST BREATHTAKINGLY BEAUTIFUL, IMMACULATE, EXQUISITE, PRISTINE AND PERFECT YET WITH AREAS THAT RAMBLE WITH PERENNIALS DOING THEIR OWN THING.  I WANTED TO FIND A CORNER TO LIVE IN FOREVER AND NEVER LEAVE - IN SOME PICS YOU CAN SEE THE MIST COVERING THE SURROUNDING MOUNTAINS.  ANOTHER ONE IN THE GORGEOUS TOWN OF FRANSCHHOEK, IN WINE COUNTRY SOUTH AFRICA.

UNION MARKET - the new and improved

A great place to spend a few hours sipping espresso, slurping freshly shucked oysters, cheese and wine tasting, shopping for fresh produce, meats and fish, or sampling Canadian meat pies and freshly baked Baklava with a rosewater custard center.  Oh my! Or buy wines, olive oil and some of the most creative and beautiful decor items and books.  The recently renovated Union Market in NE Washington, DC   -   IS A MUST.

RIGHTEOUS CHEESE at UNION MARKET

RIGHTEOUS CHEESE at Union Market, NE Washington, DC is a must stop if you are a cheese lover.  Their motto is :

"Righteous Cheese was born of a passion for good food, good drink and good company".

They sure live up to that statement with an amazing selection of 80-90 artisan cheeses, delicious and handmade from close to home and select outlets in the United States and Europe.  Carolyn Stromberg founded Righteous Cheese in the fall of 2012.  They also have a small selection of pastas, olives, amazing cheese books etc, and offer curated by-the-glass wine and beer to sit and sip while you savor a selection of cheeses.  I asked Carolyn if she minded me taking pictures of Righteous Cheese and she was only too happy to oblige, she is as delightful as her cheeses are delicious.  Don't pass by, stop and shop.  More info on their website too:  www.righteouscheese.com

ALMAALA FARMS, AT UNION MARKET IN NE WASHINGTON, DC

A family owned "fresh from the farm to you" place to shop for local produce.  If you are in the area, stop by the newly renovated Union Market and stock up on the freshest organic and locally grown fruit and veges from Almaala Farms who opened up there in 2012.  I met the owner Abed Almaala at the market, really interesting and friendly fella who runs the farm with his wife and son, dedicated to producing a wonderful array of healthy deliciousness. Check out their website too, for more info: www.almaalafarms.com